Fueled by a surge of support from white voters, Republican Sen. John McCain has narrowed a
10-point gap and now trails Democratic Sen. Barack Obama 48 - 45 percent among New Jersey
likely voters, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

This compares to a 51 - 41 percent Sen. Obama lead in an August 13 poll by the
independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.

The Democrat leads 58 - 36 percent among voters 18 to 34 years old and 50 - 43 percent
among voters 35 to 54, while McCain leads 52 - 41 percent among voters over 55 years old.

"The McCain-Palin ticket has narrowed the gap dramatically, but it will take more than
this post convention bounce for the Republicans to win in true blue New Jersey. The upcoming
debates probably will provide a clue to whether Sen. McCain can build on his current momentum,
or whether the tide will turn back to the Democrats," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of
the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

More than a quarter of all voters and more than a third of independent voters say it is
"very likely" or "somewhat likely" that the presidential debates will change their minds about who
they will vote for.

New Jersey voters say 58 - 33 percent that McCain's selection of Palin was a good
choice. Obama's selection of Biden was a good choice, voters say 59 - 30 percent.

The economy is the most important issue in their vote, 51 percent of New Jersey voters
say, while 13 percent list the war in Iraq; 10 percent cite terrorism; 9 percent say health care and 8
percent say energy policy.

Voters say 32 - 28 percent that they will be better off if Obama is elected. But 54
percent of voters say their taxes will go up if Obama is elected, compared to 34 percent who
expect a tax hike if McCain is elected.

And 44 percent believe McCain's claim that Obama will raise taxes on most American
families, while 40 percent believe Obama's claim that he will cut taxes for 95 percent of working
families.

"In addition to the Palin bounce, Republicans seem to be scoring points with their attacks
on the Obama tax plan," Richards said.

From September 10 - 14, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,187 New Jersey likely voters
with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percent.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion
surveys in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and nationally as a
public service and for research.
For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.

1. If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were
Barack Obama the Democrat and John McCain the Republican, for whom would you
vote? (If undecided q1) As of today, do you lean more toward Obama or McCain?
This table includes "Leaners".

TREND: If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were
Barack Obama the Democrat and John McCain the Republican, for whom would you vote?
(If undecided) As of today, do you lean more toward Obama or McCain?
This table includes "Leaners".

16. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: The vice presidential
candidates picked by Barack Obama and John McCain have little to do with which
candidate I will vote for, for president.

31. Which of the following statements do you agree with:
I will be better off a year from now if John McCain is elected president or
I will be better off a year from now if Barack Obama is elected president or
I will not be better off a year from now?